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Russia Debuts New Shturm Robotic Tank—It Loses Connection and Gets Stuck in the Mud
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia’s new Shturm robotic assault tank reportedly suffered repeated communication failures during its debut at the Tsentr-2026 strategic military exercise before getting stuck in mud—even after a human driver took control of the vehicle.
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According to Defence Blog on October 3, the remotely operated tank repeatedly lost its radio connection with its separate control vehicle during drills at the Chebarkul training range in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region.
The communication problems reportedly prompted organizers to abandon remote operation during a demonstration attended by Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Instead, a driver-mechanic was placed inside the Shturm because of concerns that the system could malfunction.
Despite being operated by a human driver, the vehicle later became stuck in muddy terrain beside a dirt track. A photograph from the exercise showed the Shturm tilted forward, with its tracks and front section partially sunk into the ground.
The Shturm is based on the T-72 tank platform and was developed by Russian defense manufacturer Uralvagonzavod as a remotely controlled heavy assault system.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on October 2 that Putin had been shown new uncrewed combat vehicles based on the T-72B3M chassis during Tsentr-2026. The vehicles were presented in tank and BMPT configurations and were reportedly used to provide fire support for assault units during the exercise.
The Shturm system combines remotely operated combat vehicles with a separate crewed command vehicle, which is also built on a tank chassis. Operators inside the command vehicle control the robotic platform remotely, requiring the two vehicles to remain within several kilometers of each other.
The main Shturm configuration carries a shortened 125 mm gun intended for urban operations, along with a bulldozer blade and additional armor designed to improve protection against infantry anti-tank weapons.
Russian armor expert Andrei Tarasenko identified several vulnerabilities in the vehicle, according to Defence Blog, including limited protection around the engine compartment and turret roof—areas frequently targeted by drones against armored vehicles in Ukraine.
Tarasenko also questioned the system’s reliance on a nearby command vehicle and a stable communications link.
“The idea of this vehicle seems unsuccessful to me: dependence on a command post that has to be 3 to 4 kilometers away and in direct line of sight. Without proper communications like Starlink, or something similar, there is no point in such a vehicle,” Tarasenko said.
Separately, Russia has also been repurposing older armored platforms as it seeks to replenish its vehicle fleet. In October 2025, satellite imagery indicated that Soviet-era 9P149 Shturm-S anti-tank missile carriers were being converted into improvised armored personnel carriers by removing their missile systems and modifying the crew compartment.
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